Uni Stuff > Engineering

Choosing an Engineering Course

<< < (6/6)

b^3:

--- Quote from: pi on August 07, 2013, 06:33:19 pm ---Also, I think there's a reason why in any Monash Eng degree (incl Aerospace Eng) that there is a compulsory Comm unit in first year (I think?). Probably has some correlation with the above.

--- End quote ---
For straight aero there's a compulsory commerce unit (you pick from a list of 8 or so) in first year, while in aero/sci and some of the other double degrees it's an option in 5th year (you don't have to pick it).

The only other single degree that I can find that makes you do a comm unit is if you go the mech eng way, as it makes you do one in 4th year. Doesn't appear to be for any others streams.


--- Quote from: pi on August 07, 2013, 06:33:19 pm ---Of course I don't do either degree, but from what I heard at Open Days contradicts what you've just said. From memory (going back a couple of years), it's become a popular combination because traditionally engineers didn't have as larger a role in the managing and finance matters of the firm, or various projects. Of course this wouldn't give you a massive job advantage, but I guess the skills would be useful.

--- End quote ---
I've heard this quite a lot as well, and they seemed to keep pushing the advantages of us doing the single commerce unit when we all complained about it in first year. It's not as if they were trying to get us to pay more or anything, we'd be doing the same amount of units if we didn't have to do that comm unit.

As to the load for double degrees, I've heard some people celebrating that they did comm along side eng, as it 'lightened their load' for the semester, allowing them to do better in the eng units. e.g. Instead of doing 4 eng units in a semester and having 24 contact hours or so, doing the double degree with 2 eng and 2 comm, giving them less contact hours, allowing them to focus on the eng units (this isn't why you should choose the double, just more talking about loads for double degree).

816:

--- Quote from: pi on August 07, 2013, 06:33:19 pm ---Of course I don't do either degree, but from what I heard at Open Days contradicts what you've just said. From memory (going back a couple of years), it's become a popular combination because traditionally engineers didn't have as larger a role in the managing and finance matters of the firm, or various projects. Of course this wouldn't give you a massive job advantage, but I guess the skills would be useful.

Also, I think there's a reason why in any Monash Eng degree (incl Aerospace Eng) that there is a compulsory Comm unit in first year (I think?). Probably has some correlation with the above.

Also, you're assuming there aren't students who actually have an interest in both Comm and Eng and would just like to get into either a bit more than in a single degree (such as the OP perhaps).

--- End quote ---

Nah, engineers have always had a role in the management, I'd just argue commerce degrees aren't the way towards that.

Generally, outline of engineering professional's life would be something vaguely like this:
Start off as a grad engineer: ~3 years
Work towards becoming a lead engineer: ~6 years
Lead/Senior Engineer: Indefinite, from here you try and move into management if you want to make a lot of money.

The only step where a commerce degree could possible assist you is at the Lead/Senior Engineer part. I'd argue, however, that management skills are something you gain after a while with experience and stuff rather than as part of the degree.

However, if people do like commerce and do like engineering, sure do a double. But eventually you will need to make a choice between the two. I simply feel it's better to make that choice before you start your degree so you can devote 100% of your efforts to your field and become really good at what you do.

@B^3, whether you lighten the load or not, you're still getting the same out of your engineering degree. After you get your first engineering job, your grades become instantly irrelevant. If you're a good engineer, you'll shine from there on, if you're not, you'll fail in the profession. So, if you were worked harder during your degree, it's better for your prospects.

Greatness:

--- Quote from: 816 on August 07, 2013, 06:43:59 pm ---Nah, engineers have always had a role in the management, I'd just argue commerce degrees aren't the way towards that.

Generally, outline of engineering professional's life would be something vaguely like this:
Start off as a grad engineer: ~3 years
Work towards becoming a lead engineer: ~6 years
Lead/Senior Engineer: Indefinite, from here you try and move into management if you want to make a lot of money.

The only step where a commerce degree could possible assist you is at the Lead/Senior Engineer part. I'd argue, however, that management skills are something you gain after a while with experience and stuff rather than as part of the degree.

--- End quote ---
Yep that sounds about right from what I've read and been told. You get into management positions through experience, management wouldn't let a graduate manage a project! Typically, once you have gotten to a lead/senior engineer role as 816 has said you can take on management roles, or even shift industries completely i.e. into the finance industry. The knowledge and skills that you have gained as an engineer would be highly valued in the finance industry.

I'm doing BCom/MEng at Melbourne, well intending to go on with MEng sometime in the future. The flexibility it gives is great, I was a bit critical of the Melbourne Model initially, but it has kept my options open which is what I was after. I'm still not entirely sure what I want to do after I graduate and to be honest, I'm not too fussed. I'll just take whatever opportunities come my way!

spectroscopy:
another thing for the OP to consider would be a straight bachelor of engineering, then after a few years experience, going to business school and getting an MBA, then you can move up an engineering company all the way to the top (potentially)

just an idea

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[*] Previous page